Finding Hope in the Darkness: Why Recovery Complex and Recovery Resources Matter

Kevin Gray
Aug 1
3 min read

Updated: Aug 2

The Recovery Complex - Pave It Forward - “Heart is in the Pavement”

I've been battling alcoholism and addiction since I was a teenager. For years, there wasn't a day that went by where I wasn't struggling with this disease in some way. Even when things looked good on the outside - when we were running a seven, eight million dollar company, when I had the cars and money and all the things that were feeding my ego - the addiction was still there, lurking underneath it all.

When everything fell apart during my divorce process, when I lost the business and found myself starting over from scratch, I hit rock bottom. But I'm actually grateful it happened that way, because I don't think I would have ever gotten my arms around this disease otherwise. I've been sober for 26 months now, and it's been the most important journey of my life.

That's why when we heard about The Recovery Complex project and the work they're doing, I wanted to make it the next contribution from our “Heart is in the Pavement” Program. Places like this aren't just buildings or programs, they're lifelines. They're where people like me go when we're ready to stop running from our demons and start facing them head-on.

Recovery isn't just about getting clean or sober. It's about learning who you really are underneath all the noise, all the ego, all the things you thought defined you. When I lost everything… my kids, the business, the financial security, even basic things like health insurance and my cell phone plan that ran through the company… I had to rebuild not just my career, but myself.

The fear, doubt, worry, and anxiety are real when you're starting over. I won't lie about that. Going from successful to essentially starting from scratch is terrifying. But having resources and support systems in place, whether that's a treatment facility, a recovery center, or just people who understand what you're going through, that makes all the difference.

What I've learned is that you've got to put yourself out there and be willing to learn. You've got to find people in your community or within your industry who can help expedite these learning curves. The same way I tell people in business to reach out and connect with others who've been where they want to go, recovery works the same way.

The Recovery Complex and places like it provide that safe space where people can learn, grow, and heal. They offer hope when everything feels hopeless. They remind you that this disease doesn't have to define you or destroy everything you've worked for.

I'm proof that you can come back from the depths of addiction. I'm building a new business, setting bigger goals than I ever have before, and living authentically for the first time in years. But I couldn't have done it without acknowledging that I needed help, without the support of people who understood addiction, and without resources that guided me through the darkest period of my life.

That's why supporting places like The Recovery Complex matters so much. You never know whose life you might be helping to save, whose family you might be helping to heal, or whose future you might be helping to rebuild. Sometimes the best investment we can make isn't in business - it's in helping people find their way back to themselves.

During my recovery journey, I started something called "The Rock Bottom Podcast" as a way to process what I was going through and connect with others who were fighting similar battles. Creating this podcast became part of my own recovery process. It kept me accountable, helped me make sense of where I'd been and where I was going, and reminded me that I wasn't alone in this fight. If you'd like to learn more about my recovery process or recovery in general, I invite you to check out The Rock Bottom Podcast Facebook page. Recovery looks different for everyone, but the one thing we all need is community and hope.

If you're struggling, please know that there is hope. There are people and places ready to help you fight this battle. You don't have to do it alone.